EMPRESS EUGENIE IN AFRICA.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume II, Issue 170, 5 November 1880, Page 1 (Supplement)

EMPRESS EUGENIE IN AFRICA.

The return of the Avidow of Napoleon 111, to England is saluted by. the Bouapartist papers Avith their respectful homage. The ‘Figaro’ dedicates two sheets, or half of its issue, to her Majesty’s stay in ZuluUiiid and the homeward-bound voyage. This best informed journal of Paris, gives a rough facsimile of the monumental cross erected by Queen Victoria to the Prince in the valley of Ityotyosi, together Avitli a voluminous account of the Imperial traveller’s movements, from the pen of its London correspondent, Mr. T. Johnson. The journey from Pietermaritzburg to the fatal donga Avas performed on the 2!)th of April by the Empress and Lady Wood in an American ‘spider,’ drawn by four horses and driven by Sir Evelyn Wood. As the route lay through an unoccupied and abandoned country, a convoy of provisions folloAved the travellers, consisting of . thirteen waggons, to Avhich were harnessed ten mules each. This abundance of transport, Avhich gives a vivid idea of campaigning difficulties, was not exactly required for actual food conveyance. part of it being necessitated by the lack of fuel in the regions to be traversed, so that a supply of Avood had to be taken for culinary purposes. Three other carriages, Avith tAvo ' horses, Avcre assigned to Mrs. Ronald Campbell and her attend ants. The Avhole party was escorted by twe ty men of the Mounted Police force. Requests for permission to take part in this sg vice Avere so numerous that some stran e devices are recorded as having been resorted to by volunteers. Thus oue man, engaged as an officer’s servant, had to reveal his real position, that of a well-to-do farmer’s son, OAving to the aAvkward Avay in Avhich he set about cleaning his master’s hoots. The stages accomplished were, on an average, tAvelve miles a day between sunrise and sunset. The Aveather at that season of the year being very changeable, ranging between summer temperature at noon and a coating of ice at daybreak, the Empress put the tent which served as her saloon during the day at the disposal of the escort for their sleeping quarters. On the 20th of May a halt A\ r as made at Ilobane, Avhere Captain Campbell was killed, and live days later the cortiUje reached the object of its destination, described by the ‘ Figaro’ as ‘ the Calvary of Ityotyosi.’ The correspondent draws a veil over the poignant scenes that were here witnessed, merely recording that for two hours the Empress remained plunged in a sort of stupor, and that the same evening she paid a second visit to the site in company with the Marquis tie Ba s sano. The Zulu account of the manner in Avhich the Prince met his death has already appeared in the English ncAvspapers. It naturally is dwelt on Avith much pride by nis fi’ientis in 1 uns. On tlie 3rd of June the convoy started on the return journey to Maritzburg, but by a different route.. the Empress Avas the last to leave the scene of her son’s sad end, and seemed loth to tear herself aAvav from the melancholy spot. At Isandula she placed some stone crosses on a feAv tombs, to mark the resting-place of English soldiers, as she had done in the cemetery of Helpmakaar, at the request of ail English lady, Avho had Avritten from London beseeching the Empress to midcr’ake this pious mission for the memory of hei' son, in the name of theii common grief. Nor did the hei ea\ ed mother only content herself Avith following the track taken by the Prince, but she executed all the reconnaisances in Avhich he had taken part. The notes and plans Avhich the unfortunate officer had scrupulously made Avere studied by the Empress Eugenie with maternal pride and reA’.ercntial minuteness. On July l‘2th the Trojan disembarked the ex-Sovereign at St. Helena, Avhere she landed to visit LougAvood and the tomb of Napoleon. Mr. Mareshal, the guardian of the locality, did the honours of the place, which consists of a one-storeyed house, containing the room Avhere the Emperor died, and his bust in white marble, marking the spot Avhere the bed stood. Here the. Empress stooped for « feAv moments in prayer, and then proceeded to the valley where the tomb of the founder of the dynasty stands, shaded by a solitary Avillow.'" Her Majesty took away a feAv shoots, as avcll as violets and geraniums. A guard belonging to the filst Highlanders did the honours, as they had done in the case of the Prince Imperial.